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Medialoper Bebop Episode 27: Brain Decline

January 11, 2012 by Jim Connelly

In their first podcast of 2012, Jim & Tim wonder if you’ve heard that new Van Halen song. Kirk could care less. But it does lead to a discussion about various band reunions as well as the various incarnations of Van Halen. (4:37 – 11:04)

Then, there is general worry at a British study that says brain decline starts in the mid-40s, not the early 60s. (11:05 – 19:55)

Also, speaking of decline, has any retailer had a swifter decline than Best Buy? Probably, but who can remember? Kirk traces it back to when they got into a public spat with the DuroSport Electronics Corporation. (19:56 – 29:18)

Finally, the latest inductee into the Medialoper Bebop Great Albums Hall of Fame, Horses by Patti Smith. Even though it’s Kirk’s choice, Jim is going to use this opportunity to link to his article about seeing Patti live in 1996, as well as Kassia’s article about her love for Patti Smith. (29:19 – 47:10)

All that, and the new Van Halen song! On Medialoper Bebop Episode 27: Brain Decline.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:21 — 74.7MB)

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Medialoper Bebop Episode 23: Zen Arcane

November 18, 2011 by Jim Connelly

This week, Tim, & Jim and a very yelly Kirk tackle the following subjects:

First, in a brand-new segment entitled “Explain it to Kirk,” Tim & Jim explain the Twilight phenomenon to Kirk. (3:35 – 8:50)

Then, it’s reported death of the Compact Disc, which — according to some reports — is going to be abandoned by the major labels as soon as the end of this year. (08:53 – 18:00)

Here’s the chart we’re talking about in the podcast:

Also, iTunes Match has been launched, and we debate whether or not it’s worth shelling out $25.00 a year for. The answer may surprise you, though probably not if you’ve ever listened to our podcast. (18:13 – 26:10)

Once again, Medialoper Bebop Commissioner Gordon Loper harasses us with a phone message. And to spite him, you should probably follow us on Facebook. (26:11 – 28:07)

Finally, it’s a very deep look at a very deep album, Hüsker Dü’s landmark Zen Arcade, as it is inducted into the Medialoper Bebop Great Albums Hall of Fame. (27:22 – 47:58)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:47 — 75.3MB)

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Medialoper Bebop Episode 19: Walk Around and Drink

October 12, 2011 by Jim Connelly

This week, Jim, Tim & Kirk look at Netflix’s “never mind” about Qwikster and call back to in the infamous “lost” podcast, where the prediction was made that Qwikster wouldn’t make it through October. (03:22 – 14:10)

Next, we deal with previous podcast business involving Hitler and R.E.M. (14:14 – 19:40)

Then, instead of discussing Facebook for the iPad, we parse the saga of Phoenix Jones, superhero and the rest of the Rain City Superhero Movement, and determine that one of the things a superhero needs is multiple copies of his costume. (19:45 – 30:30) –

Finally, it’s Jim’s favorite album of the 21st century – The Hold Steady’s Boys and Girls in America, – the latest inductee into the Medialoper Bebop Great Albums Hall of Fame. (30:30 – 43:13)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:07 — 64.8MB)

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Medialoper Bebop Episode 18: A Huge Mistake

October 6, 2011 by Jim Connelly

Like every other blog, podcast and media outlet in the entire multiverse, Tim, Jim & Kirk discuss the life of Steve Jobs, the products that he championed and the legacy that he left. (02:17 – 12:28)

After that, we debate the possible return of Arrested Development, and whether or not it even come back in the first place. (14:01 – 22:31)

Then, we talk about how whether or not we listen to albums as albums anymore. (22:32 – 32:07)

Finally, it’s a look at the music in Jim’s mix: Wilco, Kurt Vile and Girls. (32:08 – 35:18)

All that, and a plethora of Hitler jokes, on Medialoper Bebop Episode 18: A Huge Mistake!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:38 — 55.9MB)

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Medialoper Bebop Episode 15: Skype Hunting

September 15, 2011 by Jim Connelly

This week, we’re working out some technical bugs as we’re recording the podcast via iChat instead of Skype. There’s a damn good reason for this, and Kirk explains why. (2:07 – 16:00)

Then, we take a look at the hype surrounding Windows 8, and Tim admits that there is nothing that Microsoft can ever ever do to make him appreciate them. Just like certain people with Obama. (16:00 – 23:04)

Finally, it’s the third inductee to the Medialoper Great Albums Hall of Fame: Brian Eno’s 1974 masterpiece Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) (24:00 – 35:45)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:38 — 65.5MB)

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Medialoper Bebop Episode 7: Lions and iClouds and Beers

June 13, 2011 by Jim Connelly

It’s technology at the front, and music at the end as this week, Kirk, Tim & Jim start off discussing some of the things that they’re looking forward to from Apple: the new Lion upgrade to OS X, the iOS5 for mobile devices, and the iCloud.

Turns out that there is some skepticism as to how well the iMatch service will actually work for any of them, and Kirk challenges Jim to a Metadata Throwdown.

After that, Jim has the first of his Musical Moments to Die For: The Hold Steady – “The Swish,” and the MediaLoper Disclaimer is read, in hopes that the newly discovered Moldovan rip-off of Medialoper Bebop ceases and desists.

Also, Kirk shares a few of the artists that are currently in his musical mix: Charles Bradley, Dexter Gordon & The Sky Drops.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:44 — 35.5MB)

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Medialoper Bebop Episode 3: Conversation Fear

May 10, 2011 by Jim Connelly

On this week’s Medialoper Bebop, Jim, Tim & Kirk discuss the following:

Whether or not the huge popularity of Netflix Instant is making a dent in video piracy, and why Hollywood continues to drive people to, er, other methods of getting content, despite evidence that people want to pay for stuff.

Why fewer and fewer people are using browsers to access the internet, as Kirk & Tim have seen their digital lives reconfigure with the advent of the iPad.

And finally, we induct our very first album into the Medialoper Great Albums Hall of Fame — R.E.M. – Murmur. Of course. What else could it be?

All of this, and Coco Crisp! On an all-new Medialoper Bebop.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:44 — 33.7MB)

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DRM, Digital Content and the Consumer Experience: Lessons Learned from the Music Industry

March 1, 2010 by Kirk Biglione

This is a screencast of the DRM presentations I gave last week at O’Reilly Media’s Tools of Change for Publishing conference.

The Day Apple Didn’t Change the World

January 27, 2010 by Kirk Biglione

Apple’s latest gadget is everything we hoped for, and so much less. Granted, the iPad is very cool, but it’s more evolutionary than revolutionary. It is essentially an extra-large iPod Touch with optional 3G wireless.

In my last post I identified five things I’d be watching for during the iPad event.

Here’s what I saw: [Read more…] about The Day Apple Didn’t Change the World

Medialoper’s Guide to Unicorn Watching

January 25, 2010 by Kirk Biglione

Forget the Super Bowl. Tomorrow is the big game.

Unless you’ve been hiding under a Blackberry you’re aware that tomorrow is the day that Apple unveils its highly anticipated new product. After nearly three years of speculation, tomorrow is the day we all get to see…the Unicorn.

Rumors abound about the alleged capabilities of this mythical beast. Some say that it can fly. Others have suggested that it’s invisible. Those same people insist that it’s already here and we just can’t see it yet. There is actually a rumor floating around the net theorizing that tomorrow morning when Steve Jobs walks onto the stage to introduce us to his new creation, a shiny new Apple tablet will materialize in each of our homes. These invisible unicorns have apparently been hiding in the corner for months just waiting for the right moment to come out and meet us.

Steve Ballmer will bow down to this supernatural new technology. Pat Robertson will condemn it as satanic. Newt Gingrich will buy three.

As for you and me? Who knows. Whether or not this “revolutionary” new product actually transforms our lives in the ways that we’ve been lead to believe it might, depends on any number of things.

Here are a few of the things I’ll be looking for to determine whether the Apple tablet turns out to be a unicorn or a duck-billed platypus. [Read more…] about Medialoper’s Guide to Unicorn Watching